Pinellas Park auto dealership under investigation

By: Alexandra Hackett

Pinellas Park, Florida - Marcus Warner was looking for a hot car and a good deal. But he says he was deceived.

"They told me it was a sound car, the engine was good," Warner said.

He spotted a 2001 maroon Toyota Spyder with 22,000 miles on EBay listed for $7500. The seller: Y and K Auto Sales in Pinellas Park. But he ended up with a silver Spyder with 54,000 miles.

"It was probably within a week I started having problems with the car," said Warner.

Silver paint was rubbing off, tires were going flat. There was faulty wiring, poor lighting and water leaking into the car. Glass still pours from under the dash. Marcus said “Y and K" showed him a report listing a minor crash with damage to the driver side panel. A legitimate Carfax report later showed something much different.

"I pulled it up and there were actually 17 found records on this car and one was a head on collision where it rolled," Warner said.

He is among more than a dozen alleged victims across the US and Canada and authorities say all have similar stories. We went to Y and K Auto Sales on US 19 to get some answers.

Owner Yuriy Kutsayev speaks some English but customers we talked to say he uses his 14-year-old son, Mark, to close some of the deals. But the teen says he only acts as his father's translator.

Kutsayev claims his business is legit. He says he made some 300 sales in a year.

"We fix the cars, they pass inspection," said Kutsayev.

But its cost Warner $1900 in one month to keep the car on the road.

"I just think it's a shame that he would actually do that to somebody,” Warner said.

When ever buying a used car you can check out sites like Ripoff Report. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau for customer complaints.

Also get it inspected by an independent mechanic.

Authorities are looking for more possible victims.

If you believe you've got raw deal at Y and K Auto sales: call Tampa Bay's 10 (727) 577-1010 or email reporter Alexandra Hackett: ahackett@tampabays10.com